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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 21, 2002)
Aggielife The Battalion Page 3 A • Thursday, November 21, 2002 ig. lter wilier® kM, as well 8 3portunit\ lt y•”Sco^sa)i' , ^pus is alreji, i<Je intheriij ion 2020,4 11 goals mi |i v ersity to ire; makine ^ II Texans to I Aguilar, pij spanic p-.i a seniorities technology i n’t fix ttiepr, initely imp HJlationon® Bumps in the road fa/e travel is easier said than done when it comes to hitting the highway By Erica York THE BATTALION Highway travel is not without its lusts and turns, and a ride down a fng and winding road can spell lorn if drivers don’t take some pre cautions. Just ask Jeff Vest or Justin inton. Vest’s experience of driving with a fe\er left him a more careful driver. “I had a temperature of 103 when left. The only reason I was driving tkk to College Station was because Iliad a test on Monday,” said Vest, a |nior construction science major. “I las feeling so bad that I just lost focus of what I was doing, zoned out arJ fell asleep.” I Vest, who was only 15 miles from Rllege Station when he fell asleep, laid he was disoriented after the acci- ■drt but not hurt. I “I was so lucky. I came so close to Ipping my truck,” he said. “I ran iltiiaditch on the left side of the lad after my truck spun, but my Buck wasn't damaged at all.” I Vest said students should roll their lindows down if they start to feel Bred while driving. I Justin Minton, a junior recreation. Irks and tourism science major, also fell asleep at the wheel on his way |om San Marcos to College Station, was not as lucky as Vest. “My roommate was asleep in the ack and he didn’t get a scratch on him, but I broke my scapula and my nose. I had to get 14 staples in my head and 20 stitches in my right . 1 | cheek,” Minton said. “I’m still ID L0I1I|pulling glass out of my head two I weeks after it happened.” Minton said he was trying to do jomething to keep him awake, but it a * fic/not work in time. 1 “I was waiting for the next gas Ration to get some sunflower seeds or gummy bears to chew on to keep me awake,” Minton said. “I should olftow^ ht andti^ y in anertfi tors$l9a^ gthecaiM mblic at years, a T: vould W have woken up my roommate and made him keep me awake.” Traveling students should plan ahead when taking a road trip. Matt Hasenkampf, a junior engineering technology major, said. Hasenkampf, who will travel from College Station to Austin and then to New Orleans for the holidays, said there are certain steps students should take before a long drive, such as wearing sunglasses. “Regularly, I don’t wear sunglass es when I drive, but on a long drive, I always plan to have sunglasses since the glare tends to irritate me,” Hasenkampf said. “On a long drive. I'll even stop and buy a pair if I forget my good pair.” Hasenkampf said it’s important to check the weather conditions a day in advance and to make sure windshield wipers are working properly. He suggests bringing a flashlight with extra bat teries and a spare tire, as well. Hasenkampf said it’s also impor tant to pull over and rest if you are feeling really tired. “Instead of fighting to stay awake, take a 20-minute break or so to get your mind off the road,” Hasenkampf said. “Give your eyes a chance to focus on something other than the road.” Alii Austin, a senior education major, has to make the long drive from College Station tc Midland for the holi days. She said she has certain techniques she uses when she starts getting sleepy on her way home. “When I start getting kind of tired, I usually bring a Coke with me and drink it,” Austin said. “I will also lis ten to some upbeat music.” Austin said students traveling home should try to avoid driving at times when it is easier to fall asleep. “If possible, I try to leave early in the morning,” she said. “This is so much better because there’s light and there’s not a bunch of traffic.” Austin said there also are things pas sengers can do to make trips safer. “If you’re driving with a friend, you should try to stay awake for them,” Austin said. they’re driving.” Lt. Rodney Sigler from the College Station Police Department said holiday travel for students can be very dangerous. “There are three things we need to pay special attention to: falling asleep, drinking and driving and speeding,” Lt. Sigler said. “These three things are especially important because they are things we can control.” Lt. Sigler said students should not try to finish long trips in one night. “It’s dangerous to try to make a 16-hour drive and students should avoid this,” Lt. Sigler said. “It’s just not worth it.” LORI GREEN* THE BATTALION thervonH$ norteminW jndonsW- tourist dttuft ir of London* talks, tomy p* 5 byScotadd a goven® .d the out? had r vould crowd and: the exl* ane' ed a sens*' jrlds e; unan e 01 ed or cot Aoeidife k j ionE*'. Opinion E* 1 Chief ditor i Edit° r io Editof oducer THE ULTMTEfgglFARTYPAVILIOH The Luckenbach of College Station!!! THIS THURSDAY, NOV 21 ONE LIGHT TOWN w/special guest Cosmic Dust Devils B.Y.O.B!!! Only a $ 5 cover charge. Coolers, chairs are welcome!! Rain or shine. Check out Vicks Country Pavilion on the website www.vickpavilion.com Phone: (979) 776-COOK “Never cease to amaze her. Always exceed her greatest expectations.’ > i dyT.' > lictiael®* j Morris®" o, Carr" 6 " , Zi Jesse laBem) 1 isiono 13 **’. AvG’ft — 1 / L; cJavicI qaro -2678. AROINER'S Jewelers ♦ Gemologists 522 University Drive E • Between The Suit Club and Audio/Video 764-8786 T A S ^ <3 A RA 4501 Texas Avenue South, Bryan, Texas 846-3696 Thursday 4pm till close No Gimmicks, No Fancy Promotions Just $ 1.00 Frozen Margaritas & $ 1.00 Draft Beer with regular food specials